Low-Protein Diet

What Is a Low-Protein Diet?

A low-protein diet limits the amount of protein that you can eat each day.

Why Should I Follow a Low-Protein Diet?

This diet may be recommended if you have liver or kidney disease. The liver helps in protein digestion, and the kidneys are responsible for removing the waste products of protein digestion. If your liver or kidneys are not fully functioning, they will have to work extra hard to handle the protein that you eat. If you eat more protein than your liver or kidneys can handle, waste products will build up in your bloodstream, causing fatigue and a decreased appetite.

If you have chronic
kidney failure, adhering to a low-protein diet can delay your need for
dialysis
for up to a year. With kidney failure, you may also need to make other dietary changes, such as limiting the amount of salt, potassium, phosphorous, and fluid. Work with a registered dietitian to come up with an eating plan that meets your nutritional and medical needs.

Low-Protein Diet Basics

Dietary protein comes from 2 sources: animals and plants. Animal products are higher in protein and provide us with complete proteins. Complete proteins contain all of the essential amino acids that our bodies need to live and that we have to get from the food we eat. Plant products are lower in protein and provide us with incomplete proteins. Both types of protein should be a part of a healthful, low-protein diet.

Eating Guide for a Low-Protein Diet

The following chart categorizes food by group and lists the amount of protein per serving. Your doctor or dietitian will let you know how many grams of protein you can consume each day. On this diet, it is important that you work with a dietitian to make sure that you are within the recommended protein range and meeting all of your nutrient needs.

Meat and Meat Substitutes

1 serving = 7 grams protein

TypeOne Serving

Beef, poultry, fish, lamb, veal1 ounce

Cheese1 ounce or one-fourth of a cup shredded

Eggs1

Peanut butter2 tablespoons

Dried peas or beans (cooked)one-half of a cup

Milk

1 serving = 4 grams protein

TypeOne Serving

Milk, cream, and yogurtone-half of a cup

Ice creamthree-quarters of a cup

Starches

1 serving = 3 grams protein

TypeOne Serving

Bagel (varies), 4-ounceone-fourth of a bagel (1-ounce)

Bread (white, pumpernickel, whole wheat, rye)1 slice

Broth-based soup1 cup

Cooked beans, peas, or cornone-half of a cup

Cooked cerealone-half of a cup

Crackers4-6

English muffin, hot dog bun, or hamburger bunone-half

Pastaone-half of a cup

Riceone-third of a cup

Potato1 small or one-half of a cup mashed

Sweet potato or yamone-half of a cup

Tortilla1 small

Unsweetened, dry cerealthree-quarters of a cup

Vegetables

1 serving = 2 grams protein

TypeOne Serving

Cooked vegetablesone-half of a cup

Raw vegetables1 cup

Tomato or vegetable juiceone-half of a cup

Fruits

1 serving = 0.5 grams protein

TypeOne Serving

Canned fruitone-half of a cup

Dried fruitone-fourth of a cup

Fresh fruit1 small or 1 cup (like cut up or berries)

Fresh juiceone-half of a cup

Fats and Sugars

Pure fats and sugars contain no protein. But, foods made mostly of fat or sugar, such as cake, cookies, ice cream, snack chips, and fried foods tend to be high in calories and low in nutrition. There are some fats that are healthy in moderation, including olive oil, canola oil, avocados, and nuts. Ask your dietitian about how foods from this group can fit into your diet.

Suggestions

Here are some suggestions to help you with eating a low-protein diet:

When planning a meal or filling your plate with food, focus on the vegetables and grains, and then supplement with a small serving of meat, if desired.

When preparing meals at home, be sure to weigh (with a kitchen scale) and measure your foods to make sure you are getting the correct portion size.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.